Pepito explains BRT vote

CEBU, Philippines — Transportation Committee Chairman and City Councilor Winston Pepito stood by his abstention on Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s resolution to reject the supposed BRT “realignment,” insisting there was no realignment at all since the South Road Properties corridor was already part of the original 2014 plan and reaffirmed in the 2016 Memorandum of Agreement that Osmeña himself signed with the Department of Transportation.

Pepito broke down his position.

“YES – for the full implementation of the original approved plan, which included both the SRP and Bulacao–Talamban routes. NO – for the cancellation of the SRP route. ABSTAINED – because the resolution was to reject a realignment when, based on the plans presented to us, nothing was actually being realigned,” he said.

He added that he had concerns the resolution might not have any legal standing or practical effect.

His proposed amendment to prioritize Bulacao-Talamban while retaining SRP was rejected, which led him to question whether prioritization was truly the issue.

“Since it was rejected, I began to doubt the intent. And after learning about the dismissed cases involving SM and Ayala, I decided not to participate because it appeared to me this had become political drama rather than a genuine effort to improve public transportation,” he said.

Pepito also rejected claims that the SRP route was designed to benefit developers.

“I find it difficult to accept the argument that the SRP BRT route should be rejected simply because it serves an area where SM and Ayala are located. The SRP is no longer just a development area, it is one of the city’s major economic hubs. Around 20,000 workers report to work there, and an estimated 100,000 or more people visit the SRP daily. These workers, commuters, shoppers, students, tourists, and employees deserve efficient and reliable public transportation just like everyone else,” he said.

He emphasized that economic growth and poverty reduction are inseparable.

“Helping the economy is not separate from helping the poor. A stronger economy creates more opportunities, and more opportunities give people a chance to improve their lives through hard work and honest employment.”

The MOA signed on December 8, 2016 by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and Osmeña explicitly outlined that the Cebu BRT would connect Bulacao to Talamban via Ayala Center and Cebu IT Park, with stations along N. Bacalso Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, Escario, Gorordo, Archbishop Reyes, Banilad, A.S. Fortuna, and Talamban.

It also included the SRP corridor, with six designated station points and a terminal.

The agreement detailed responsibilities --DOTr would fund and monitor right-of-way acquisition, and Cebu City Government would facilitate land acquisition, resettlement, and coordination with agencies.

It was backed by World Bank Loan No. 8444-PH, Clean Technology Fund Loan No. TF017646, and AFD Agreement No. CPH 1007 02 R, with provisions for auditing, fund liquidation, and mutual cooperation.

Councilor Mikel Rama, who also abstained, reinforced Pepito’s position by presenting the World Bank’s July 2025 progress report, which warned that the CBRT project was moving too slowly and faced a “high” risk of failure before the September 2026 loan deadline.

“The BRT project is at serious risk of discontinuance, yet we are bogged down by political theatrics. We should put the needs of the people first instead of personal grudges,” Rama said.

The report cited delays in civil works, unresolved right-of-way issues, and weak institutional capacity, raising alarms that unless leaders act decisively, Cebu risks losing its flagship transport project.

The July 3 agenda confirmed the gravity of the session, with the council convened to deliberate Osmeña’s resolution to “restore” the original alignment --even though the MOA and route maps already showed the SRP corridor included.

DOTr and CBRT representative, and city planners were present, underscoring that the discussion was meant to validate the project’s original scope and ensure commuter benefit.

The resolution passed with seven votes in favor, two against, and four abstentions --Pepito, Rama, Dave Tumulak, and Nice Archival among them. — (FREEMAN)